Phillies set to bring back Garrett Stubbs when rosters expand, try to sell fans on the idea that he brings ‘flexibility’ to the roster

Welp, the Phillies are bringing back a familiar face, with backup catcher Garrett Stubbs rejoining the team when rosters expand tomorrow.

Dave Dombrowski announced Sunday night that Stubbs will be promoted once rosters expand from 26 to 28 on Sept. 1. He’ll join the team in Milwaukee.

Stubbs has been parked at Triple-A Lehigh Valley all season after losing the backup catcher battle to Rafael Marchán in the spring.

With one option left, the Phillies stashed him in the minors, where I guess he quietly put together a solid year, hitting .265 with a .753 OPS in 309 plate appearances.

Phillies set to bring back Garrett Stubbs when rosters expand, try to sell fans on the idea that he brings ‘flexibility‘ to the roster

The Phillies will call up Garrett Stubbs when the roster expands to 28 players tomorrow. Dave Dombrowski explained why: pic.twitter.com/asJyT2BE18

— On Pattison (@OnPattison) August 31, 2025

“He’s been a winner,” Dombrowski said. “He’s done a great job for us in Triple-A, not only on the field, but in the clubhouse. We thought it was a very well-deserved promotion too.”

Bringing Stubbs back doesn’t mean J.T. Realmuto is about to start getting more rest. Realmuto has already caught 113 of the Phillies’ 137 games this season, a ridiculous workload for any catcher.

Why can’t Dave Dombrowski just be honest… lol

The Phillies are attempting to sell fans the idea that adding Garrett Stubbs will give the ball club more flexibility. Reason being, JT Realmuto can be used as a pinch hitter on his days off without worrying about running out of catchers.

Right… lol.

Are we supposed to believe that JT Realmuto, who hasn’t pinch-hit since 2023, can now do that because Stubbs is on the bench? I don’t buy it. I would much rather have Dave Dombrowski and Rob Thomson just be honest on why Stubbs is back.

It’s obvious that Stubbs has been with the team for the past three years while the Phillies battled through Red October and they want his presence in the clubhouse again this year.

Is it the right move? Probably not, but if it makes the boys comfortable in October, then you really can’t hate it.

Personally, I would have recalled Otto Kemp.

The Phillies could use the Ottoman Kempire back on the roster. He’s a right-handed bat off the bench. Seemed like a no-brainer, right?

Also, for anyone suggesting it should have been Johan Rojas, don’t. There’s no need to add another outfielder to an already-crowded room.

That’s the exact reason why Justin Crawford didn’t get a look. The front office insists they want him playing every day, not buried in a crowded outfield rotation of Marsh, Bader, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos, and Weston Wilson.

The Pitching Side

Each team can add one hitter and one pitcher. For the extra arm, the Phillies are turning to lefty reliever Tim Mayza, recently claimed off waivers from the Pirates.

Meanwhile, veteran right-hander Walker Buehler , who signed today after getting released by the Red Sox last week. He’ll head to Lehigh Valley to stretch out and is expected to join the Phillies’ rotation on Sept. 12 against the Royals as part of a six-man setup down the stretch.

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